For independent workshops seeking comprehensive and efficient vehicle diagnostics, XENTRY Diagnosis Lite offers a powerful solution. This specialized diagnostic system, designed for standard PCs, provides access to in-depth Mercedes-Benz diagnostics. A crucial component in accessing this capability is the Xentry Diagnostics Start Key, which is essential for initiating and authorizing the software. This article will delve into the significance of the xentry diagnostics start key, how it functions within the XENTRY Diagnosis Lite system, and why it’s indispensable for independent operators.
Who Can Benefit from XENTRY Diagnosis Lite and the Start Key?
XENTRY Diagnosis Lite is specifically tailored for independent workshops and operators involved in motor vehicle repair, as defined by EC regulation 2018/858. To ensure that this powerful diagnostic tool reaches the intended professionals, Mercedes-Benz requires verification of eligibility during the ordering process. This verification typically involves submitting documentation such as a trade license, commercial register entry, proof of professional qualification in the automotive trade, or other official documents confirming the nature of your business. This process helps ensure that xentry diagnostics start key and the associated software are used by qualified professionals for legitimate vehicle servicing.
Understanding the XENTRY Diagnostics Start Key Requirement
It is critical to understand the xentry diagnostics start key requirement when ordering XENTRY Diagnosis Lite. The system is designed to operate on a standard PC without any pre-existing active StartKey or contract. This means that if you are currently using a XENTRY Pass Thru EU system with an active StartKey on a particular PC, you cannot order XENTRY Diagnosis Lite for the same hardware ID. To utilize XENTRY Diagnosis Lite, you must either use a different, unoccupied standard PC or wait until your existing XENTRY Pass Thru EU contract expires. This restriction underscores the importance of the xentry diagnostics start key as a unique identifier and authorization mechanism for each system.
XENTRY Diagnosis Lite Pricing Structure: Start Key and Beyond
The investment in XENTRY Diagnosis Lite involves both fixed and variable cost components. Understanding these costs is essential for independent workshops considering adopting this diagnostic solution, and the xentry diagnostics start key activation is implicitly included within this structure.
Fixed Costs:
- Annual Flat User Fee: This recurring fee covers online operating costs and access to support services. It’s important to note that this fee is primarily for contract renewals and is not applicable to the initial order. This fee ensures continuous access to the services that rely on the xentry diagnostics start key for authorization.
- One-Time Hardware Costs: This covers the XENTRY Diagnosis COM Kit, which includes the Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI) and necessary accessories. This hardware works in conjunction with the xentry diagnostics start key to establish a secure and authorized diagnostic connection.
Variable Costs:
- Time Credit Units: Usage of diagnostic data is based on purchased time credit units. The system automatically manages these credits, deducting them whenever the diagnostics application is in use. A credit unit is activated upon opening the diagnostics system and continues to run until it expires, regardless of whether a diagnostic session is active or if vehicles are changed. The xentry diagnostics start key grants access to this credit-based diagnostic data.
| Flat-rate user fee (1 year) | 180,00 € / year (only relevant for contract extension, the flat-rate user fee does not apply to the first order) |
|---|---|
| Hardware-costs, one-time | 1.522,00 € (one-time) |
| 1 hour | |
| MB passenger car incl. VAN, smart, EQ, Maybach | 15,90 € |
Diagnostic Capabilities Enabled by XENTRY Diagnosis Lite and the Start Key
XENTRY Diagnosis Lite, once activated with the xentry diagnostics start key, unlocks a comprehensive suite of diagnostic functionalities, empowering independent workshops to perform in-depth servicing on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. These capabilities include:
- Quick Test: Rapidly assesses the overall health of the vehicle’s systems.
- Basic Diagnosis: Access to crucial data such as actual values and actuations for detailed component analysis.
- Commissioning: Enables essential procedures like flashing, coding, and parameterization of control units.
- Fault Memory Management: Reading and deleting fault codes to identify and resolve vehicle issues.
- Guided Diagnosis: Step-by-step instructions to streamline complex diagnostic procedures.
- Functional Diagnosis: In-depth testing of specific vehicle functions.
- Repair Forecast: Provides insights to aid in efficient repair planning.
- Broad Vehicle Coverage: Diagnosis for all control units across model series from 2004 onwards (XENTRY and DAS series, excluding HHTWIN). This extensive coverage, unlocked by the xentry diagnostics start key, makes XENTRY Diagnosis Lite a versatile tool for workshops handling a wide range of Mercedes-Benz models.
What’s Included in the XENTRY Diagnosis COM Kit?
Upon a new order of XENTRY Diagnosis Lite, the XENTRY Diagnosis COM Kit provides all the necessary components to get started, once the xentry diagnostics start key is obtained and activated:
- XENTRY Diagnosis VCI
- WiFi stick
- OBD cable (16-pin)
- USB cable (5m)
- User information and safety instructions
- Digital components (software, manual, help cards)
Remember, XENTRY Diagnosis Lite supports diagnostics for vehicles of all XENTRY Diagnosis series from model year 2004 onwards. The contract duration is 12 months, and the XENTRY Diagnosis COM Kit (VCI) is a purchased device. Software access, updates, diagnostic data access via time credits, and support services are available for 42 months, contingent on hardware support availability and annual usage fee payments throughout the contract period. The xentry diagnostics start key is the digital authorization that ties these components together.
Important Geographic Restriction: XENTRY Diagnosis Lite orders are only accepted from users with business addresses within the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Key Benefits of XENTRY Diagnosis Lite for Your Workshop
Choosing XENTRY Diagnosis Lite, activated by the xentry diagnostics start key, offers several advantages for independent workshops:
- Comprehensive Solution: Receive a fully integrated software and hardware solution designed to work seamlessly together. It supports a wide range of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, VANs, and smart models from 2004 onwards (excluding smart model #1), exceeding the limitations of Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicle restrictions found in XENTRY Pass Thru EU.
- Standalone VCI Purchase: Gain access to the XENTRY Diagnosis VCI, previously exclusive to XENTRY Diagnosis Pad/Pad2 bundles. Now, you can utilize this powerful VCI with the XENTRY Diagnostics Open Shell software on your own standard PC, enabled by your xentry diagnostics start key.
- Reliable Communication: Benefit from proven, faster, and more stable communication between the software and the XENTRY Diagnosis VCI compared to generic pass-thru VCIs. This robust connection is essential for accurate and efficient diagnostics, all initiated by the xentry diagnostics start key.
- Dedicated Support: Receive software and hardware support* throughout your contract term, ensuring assistance when you need it. *Hardware support applies to the XENTRY Diagnosis COM Kit.
System Requirements and the Start Key Activation Process
A unique hardware-dependent StartKey, the xentry diagnostics start key, is the fundamental requirement for using XENTRY Diagnosis Lite.
After installing the base software (downloadable from Mercedes-Benz B2B Connect), you can order the StartKey through the same portal. The hardware ID needed for ordering the xentry diagnostics start key can be found using the “ConfigAssist” tool within “System Data.” The StartKey enables authorized devices, like laptops, to run diagnostics applications using this unique hardware ID.
Essential System Requirements:
- Administrator rights for installation and updates.
- Personalized login with standard diagnosis rights (mandatory login procedure, linked to the xentry diagnostics start key authorization).
- Windows-compatible PC or Laptop with Intel i5 processor or better (or equivalent).
- Operating System: Windows 10 (64 Bit) or Windows 11 (64 Bit).
- Minimum 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended).
- Minimum 150 GB free HDD, SSD recommended for optimal performance.
- Browser: Edge for Windows.
- One USB 3.0 port for XENTRY Diagnosis VCI connection.
- One free USB port for the WiFi stick.
- Broadband Internet access (LAN/WiFi) – crucial for StartKey verification and online functionalities.
- Microsoft .NET 4.0 (or higher) installed.
- Specific URLs and Ports unlocked in firewall/proxy (see table below).
Important Note on Time Credits: Unused or mistakenly purchased time credits are non-refundable. However, credits are transferred upon contract extension, ensuring you don’t lose value if you continue using XENTRY Diagnosis Lite and your xentry diagnostics start key.
Online Connectivity and Start Key Verification
Utilizing XENTRY Diagnosis content requires a permanent online connection for:
- Accessing diagnostic data for each session, authorized by the xentry diagnostics start key.
- Verifying access authorizations for data content, directly linked to the StartKey.
- Checking contractual data related to your xentry diagnostics start key and subscription.
Firewall and Proxy Settings for XENTRY Diagnosis Lite
Proper configuration of firewall and proxy settings is vital for XENTRY Diagnosis Lite to function correctly and communicate with Mercedes-Benz servers for start key verification and data access. Ensure the following URLs and ports are enabled:
| Purpose | URL/Domain | Port |
|---|---|---|
| XENTRY Portal | https://xentry.mercedes-benz.com/ | 443 (https) |
| XENTRY WIS | https://retailfactory.mercedes-benz.com/iri-gui/ | 443 (https) |
| XENTRY Operation Time | https://xentry.mercedes-benz.com/xot/ | 443 (https) |
| GoToAssist(For provision of remote support) | http://gotoassist.comhttps://gotoassist.comhttps://goto.com | 80 (http)443 (https) |
| XENTRY Tips | https://xentry-tips.mercedes-benz.com/neo-reader/index.html | 443 (https) |
| Windows Update Links | http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com(Enabling required for *.microsoft.com) | 80 (http) |
| XENTRY (AKT) | https://aftersales.mercedes-benz.com/ | 443 (https) |
| XENTRY Flash | https://aftersales.mercedes-benz.com(For control unit commissioning) | 443 (https) |
| XENTRY Diagnosis Domains | For operation of the XENTRY Diagnosis Software with and without RDS, the following domains must always be accessible and must not be blocked, even if no communication has taken place over them for a longer period of time: – *.mercedes-benz.com – *.mercedes-benz.de – *.corpinter.net – *.akamaihd.net – *.fastsupport.com – *.go2assist.me – *.gofastchat.com – *.gotoassist.com – *.gotoassist.at – *.gotoassist.me – *.goto.com – *.helpme.net – *.logmeinrescue.com – *.tokbox.com – *.opentok.com – *.pingone.eu – *.pingidentity.eu – *.startekinfo.com (MBUSA) – *.microsoft.com – *.windowsupdate.com – *.windows.com – *.time.windows.com | 80 (http)443 (https)123 (UDP) |
| AddOns | http://xentryupdateservice.i.mercedes-benz.com/msi-updates/* | 80 (http)443 (https) |
| Retail Data Storage to the Internet | – *.mercedes-benz.com – *.corpinter.net – *.akamaihd.net | 80 (http)443 (https) |
| XENTRY Diagnosis to Retail Data Storage | 80 (http)443 (https)9000 (http)7001 (tcp)7002 (tcp) |
Consult your IT administrator to ensure these settings are correctly configured for uninterrupted access to XENTRY Diagnosis Lite, including start key verification and data retrieval.
New Compulsory Login Procedure and Start Key Security
Mercedes-Benz has implemented a two-stage security concept for XENTRY Diagnosis software access. This enhanced security directly relates to the xentry diagnostics start key and ensures authorized usage.
- Personal User ID and Password Login: Each user must log in with their unique credentials.
- Standard Diagnostics Role: Users require the standard diagnostics role, obtainable through the UMAS platform (https://umas.mercedes-benz.com/umas).
Prerequisites include successful identification via UMAS (or local procedure if applicable). This one-time identification process via UMAS/IDnow grants you the necessary role. The xentry diagnostics start key works in conjunction with this login procedure to provide a secure and auditable access system.
This security level applies across all brands and divisions, mandating personal logins for all diagnostic users. Anonymous access is no longer permitted, reinforcing the importance of the xentry diagnostics start key and user-specific authorization. The standard diagnostics role is generally required for all diagnostic activities. For control unit commissioning on newer models (series 213 model update 2020 and 223 onwards), the extended XENTRY Flash role is necessary.
Obtaining User Rights:
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XENTRY Standard Diagnostic Rights: Apply for this right through https://umas.mercedes-benz.com/umas/ and complete the one-time identification. Independent service providers without a user ID can register via https://umas.mercedes-benz.com/orgprocess/. Select “New Registration” if you are a new Mercedes-Benz Group AG customer or “Registered Organization” if your organization is registered but you lack a User ID. Contact your IT administrator or UMAS support for assistance.
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XENTRY Flash Authorization: Apply for both Standard-Flash and Extended Flash roles via UMAS. One-time identification is required for each user to obtain Flash roles. Further details on XENTRY diagnostic user rights and Flash rights are available here. These user rights are intrinsically linked to the secure operation of the xentry diagnostics start key system.
XENTRY Diagnosis Lite Support Resources
For assistance with XENTRY Diagnosis Lite, including issues related to your xentry diagnostics start key, navigate to the “Need help?” section within the application or support portal. If the FAQs do not address your query, you can open a support ticket here.
In conclusion, the xentry diagnostics start key is not merely an activation code; it is the central authorization mechanism for XENTRY Diagnosis Lite, ensuring secure, reliable, and feature-rich diagnostics for independent workshops. Understanding its role and the associated processes is crucial for effectively utilizing this powerful tool in your automotive service business.
